Sports clothing

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to sports clothing ( 1 ) for team sports which use a ball, especially football, rugby, handball or basketball, said clothing comprising an upper part ( 2 ) and a lower part ( 3 ). According to the invention, the upper part ( 2 ) and the lower part ( 3 ) of the sports clothing are embodied as one piece in order to make it more difficult for the clothes of a player to be gripped.

The invention relates to sports clothing for team sports that use a ball, especially soccer, rugby, handball or basketball, said sports clothing comprising an upper part and a lower part.

Sports clothing of this kind has long been known in the prior art and has in many cases been prescribed under current regulations for various types of team sports that use a ball.

In the case of soccer, UEFA rules, for example, stipulate how a soccer strip made up of an upper part and a lower part is to be worn. The rules state, among other things, that the shirt (upper part) has to be tucked into the shorts (lower part), which makes it necessary, especially in the event of infringements of the game (physical contact between players), to rearrange the sports clothing to the correct state from time to time.

A further problem is that, with known soccer strips, it is relatively easy to grip hold of a player in order to impede him.

The object of the invention is to develop sports clothing of the generic type in such a way that gripping hold of a player by his strip is made more difficult. A further aim is to make it easier to comply with existing rules and regulations governing the wearing of sports clothing. The sports clothing must in particular also remain correctly in position even under rough playing conditions, without the player himself having to ensure this is the case. Another aim is to ensure that an optimum fit of the sports clothing is maintained under all the conditions that might possibly arise, which is of importance when using the sports clothing as an advertising medium.

The solution to this object, as proposed by the invention, is characterized in that the upper part and lower part of the sports clothing are designed in one piece.

In particular, the upper part and lower part are sewn together. The seam connecting upper part and lower part can extend all the way round the hip region of the sports clothing. An elastic band (rubber band) can be arranged (sewn in) in this region, which has the advantage that both the lower part and also the upper part are secured on the player's body in the hip region.

In an alternative embodiment, upper part and lower part are connected to one another by a zip fastener. Moreover, a velcro fastener or lace fastener are also conceivable alternatives for the connection between said two parts.

With this embodiment, sports clothing is created which is distinguished by the fact that it makes it more difficult to grip hold of a player. Moreover, under extreme playing conditions, for example when an opponent tugs at the upper part, the sports clothing reliably remains in the correct position, without the player actively having to do anything to ensure this is the case. This embodiment also guarantees that the sports clothing fits optimally on the player's body and is held in the best possible position.

In one development, the upper part has at least one fastener, preferably a zip fastener, a velcro fastener or a lace fastener for opening the neck passage. The at least one fastener preferably extends in the shoulder region or along the player's backbone. A particularly advantageous embodiment is obtained when two fasteners, in particular zip fasteners, are provided extending laterally from the neck passage out across the shoulder region. An elastic band can also be provided in the neck region, in particular on the front of the neck passage.

These measures mean that, despite the one-piece design, the sports clothing is particularly easy to put on and to take off and has an optimal fit when it is being worn.

The lower part is advantageously made of elastic material and is cut in such a way that it fits tightly round the player's thighs. This ensures in a particularly advantageous manner that the player's thigh muscles are supported by application of a light compression and are kept warm. This advantageously also has the effect of making it more difficult for an opponent to grip hold of the lower part.

According to a further development, overshorts are arranged over the lower part. These can be sewn onto the lower part at the site where upper part and lower part are connected to one another, in particular sewn together.

Advantages in terms of production technology are achieved if upper part, lower part and overshorts are connected to one another by a single seam.

The overshorts can be made longer than the lower part of the sports clothing, in other words the lower part does not then extend down past the overshorts.

In a further embodiment of the sports clothing according to the invention, the upper part and/or lower part and overshorts are provided with at least one ventilation opening. This ensures optimal circulation of air. The ventilation openings can be arranged in the upper part and extend substantially horizontally. If the ventilation openings are arranged in the lower part or overshorts, it is recommended, for reasons of appearance, that the openings be arranged in the side area of the lower part or overshorts and that they extend substantially vertically.

A highly elastic fabric is advantageously used as the material for the upper part and/or lower part and overshorts, which affords the advantage that the sports clothing lies tightly on the player's body and it is then particularly difficult for opponents to grip hold of the sports clothing and pull it. Because of its elasticity, a yarn material of this kind additionally increases the player's mobility, because the sports clothing exerts only slight resistance to the movements of the player. Yarns with the preferred elastic behavior are those known under the brand names “Spandex” or “Lycra”.

A highly elastic yarn is also preferably used as the thread for sewing together the individual components of the sports clothing, i.e. in particular for sewing together the upper part and lower part and for sewing the ventilation openings; particularly suitable elastic yarns for this purpose are, for example, known under the brand name “SabaFlex”. By this means, the seam between upper part and lower part can advantageously be given a high degree of elasticity; this applies analogously to the seams for the ventilation openings.

Although the sports clothing is designed in one piece according to the invention, in other words with the upper part and lower part connected to one another, the possibility exists of designing the upper part and lower part or overshorts in different colors and thereby giving the outward impression of conventional sports clothing designed in two parts (upper part and lower part). In this way, the advantageous functionality of the sports clothing according to the invention can be utilized without surrendering what has become a familiar look.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is depicted in the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the front view of the sports clothing for soccer,

FIG. 2 shows the side view of the sports clothing for soccer, and

FIG. 3 shows the rear view of the sports clothing for soccer.

The sports clothing 1 in the illustrative embodiment is designed as sports clothing for soccer and consists of an upper part 2 and a lower part 3 that are sewn together. For this purpose, a seam 4 is provided in the hip region 5, specifically in a form in which the seam 4 runs all the way round the hips. In this region of the seam 4, an elastic rubber band is sewn in (not shown), which ensures that the sports clothing 1 lies secure in the hip region 5 of the player. A lace cord is also provided here (again not shown in FIG. 1) to permit manual adjustment.

For putting the sports clothing 1 on and taking it off, two zip fasteners 6 and 7 are arranged to the sides of the neck passage 8 and extend laterally across the shoulder region. With the zip fasteners 6, 7 opened, the person using the sports clothing 1 can place his feet through the resulting enlarged opening in the neck passage 8 and into the sports clothing and in this way is able to put the sports clothing 1 on. Once the player has put the sports clothing 1 on, the zip fasteners 6, 7 are closed, and in this way the sports clothing 1 lies tightly on the player's body. A better fit is achieved by an elastic band 9 being arranged in the neck region.

Overshorts 10 are arranged over the lower part 3. Advantages in terms of production technology are achieved by upper part 2, lower part 3 and overshorts 10 being permanently connected to one another by a single seam, namely the seam 4.

For improved circulation of air through the sports clothing 1, ventilation openings 11, 11′, 11″, 11′″, 12 are provided. In the illustrative embodiment, the ventilation openings 11, 11′, 11″, 11′″ provided in the upper part 2 extend substantially horizontally and arranged on both sides of the upper part 2.

In the overshorts 10, one ventilation opening 12 is arranged on each of the two sides of the lower part, these openings 12 extending substantially vertically.

The ventilation openings 11, 11′, 11″, 11′″, 12 are present in the form of incisions or cutouts in the upper part 2 or in the overshorts 10, and a thin material with good air permeability properties is arranged under these.

The sports clothing 1 can have short or long sleeves 13, the illustrative embodiment showing the variant with short sleeves.

In the illustrative embodiment, the connection between the upper part 2 and the lower part 3 is created by sewing. It should be noted that the connection between said two parts can also be created using a zip fastener, a velcro fastener or a lace fastener or in some other way.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1 sports clothing -   2 upper part -   3 lower part -   4 seam -   5 hip region -   6 zip fastener -   7 zip fastener -   8 neck passage -   9 elastic band -   10 overshorts -   11 ventilation opening -   11′ ventilation opening -   11″ ventilation opening -   11′″ ventilation opening -   12 ventilation opening -   13 sleeve 

1-19. (canceled)
 20. Sports clothing (1) for team sports that use a ball, especially soccer, rugby, handball or basketball, said sports clothing comprising an upper part (2) and a lower part (3), said upper part (2) and lower part (3) being designed in one piece when used as intended, characterized by overshorts (10) arranged over the lower part (3).
 21. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the overshorts (10) are sewn onto the lower part (3) at the site where upper part (2) and lower part (3) are sewn together.
 22. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that upper part (2) and lower part (3) are sewn together.
 23. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that upper part (2), lower part (3) and overshorts (10) are connected to one another by a single seam (4).
 24. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that the seam (4) connecting upper part (2) and lower part (3) runs all the way round the hip region (5).
 25. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that upper part (2) and lower part (3) are connected to one another by a zip fastener.
 26. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that upper part (2) and lower part (3) are connected to one another by a Velcro fastener.
 27. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that upper part (2) and lower part (3) are connected to one another by a lace fastener.
 28. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that an elastic band is arranged in the connecting area between upper part (2) and lower part (3).
 29. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that the upper part (2) has at least one fastener (6, 7), in particular a zip fastener, a Velcro fastener or a lace fastener, for opening the neck passage (8).
 30. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 29, characterized in that the at least one fastener (6, 7) runs in the shoulder region or along the backbone.
 31. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 29, characterized by two fasteners (6, 7), in particular zip fasteners, extending outward from the neck passage (8) across the shoulder region.
 32. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that an elastic band (9) is arranged in the neck region.
 33. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that the lower part (3) is made of elastic material and is cut such that it fits tightly round the wearer's thighs.
 34. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that the overshorts (10) are longer than the lower part (3).
 35. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that upper part (2) and/or lower part (3) and overshorts (10) are provided with at least one ventilation opening (11, 11′, 11″, 11′″, 12).
 36. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that upper part (2) and/or lower part (3) are made of highly elastic material.
 37. The sports clothing as claimed in claim 20, characterized by a thread of highly elastic material for producing seams, in particular the seam between upper part (2) and lower part (3) or overshorts (10) and the seams for forming the ventilation openings (11, 11′, 11″, 11′″, 12) 